Tennessee Eyes the Future in Music City Bowl Matchup vs. Illinois
Tennessee is back in familiar territory, returning to Nashville for another shot in the Music City Bowl-this time squaring off against Illinois from the Big Ten. While some Vols fans still wince at the memory of the 2021 overtime heartbreaker against Purdue (and the officiating that came with it), this year’s bowl trip carries a different kind of weight.
Bowl games in today’s college football landscape have evolved. With NFL Draft prep and the transfer portal pulling top talent out of these late-December matchups, bowl season has become a proving ground for the next wave of playmakers. And for Tennessee, tonight’s game is exactly that-a preview of what’s to come in 2026.
The Vols are without several key contributors, including Chris Brazzell, Jermod McCoy, Arion Carter, Joshua Josephs, and Colton Hood, all of whom have opted out. That opens the door for a handful of freshmen to step into the spotlight at Nissan Stadium and make their case for bigger roles next season.
Radarious Jackson and Travis Smith: Time to Shine
With Brazzell out, Tennessee’s receiving corps gets a shakeup-and two young names are front and center. Radarious Jackson is expected to get the start, with Travis Smith next in the pecking order.
Both have dealt with injuries this season, limiting their chances to make a consistent impact. But Jackson has shown flashes in limited action, and tonight is his opportunity to turn potential into production.
This isn’t just about filling in for one game. This is a live audition for 2026, especially with Tennessee’s wide receiver room likely to see further changes in the offseason. If Jackson or Smith can string together a few big plays, they’ll have a leg up heading into spring ball.
Daune Morris: A Backfield Breakout?
With Peyton Lewis in the transfer portal and Star Thomas seeing his role diminish late in the year, Daune Morris has emerged as a name to watch in the Vols’ backfield. A local product, Morris has steadily climbed the depth chart and now finds himself in a prime spot behind DeSean Bishop.
Bishop is expected to get the bulk of the work tonight, but Morris should get a healthy share of carries as well. He’s shown burst and vision in limited touches, and this game could be his springboard into a true RB2 role next season. If he delivers, Tennessee might have a solid one-two punch already in-house.
Tre Poteat and Timothy Merritt: Youth Movement in the Secondary
Let’s not sugarcoat it-Tennessee’s secondary is stretched thin heading into this one. The Vols have lost starters Jermod McCoy, Rickey Gibson, and Boo Carter over the course of the season, and now Colton Hood, a breakout performer with NFL buzz, has opted out.
That leaves senior Jalen McMurray as the anchor, likely moving around to plug gaps, and true freshmen Tre Poteat and Timothy Merritt stepping into expanded roles. Ty Redmond will continue to start, but the spotlight will be on Poteat and Merritt as they get their first real taste of extended action.
This is more than just a depth chart shuffle. Tennessee expects to get Gibson and Redmond back next year, but with transfer portal additions looming, Poteat and Merritt are playing for future snaps. A strong showing could fast-track their development and give the Vols some much-needed stability on the back end.
Jadon Perlotte: Speed at the Second Level
With Arion Carter out, the linebacker rotation shifts to Jeremiah Telander, Edwin Spillman, and freshman Jadon Perlotte-who’s quickly become one of the more intriguing young defenders on the roster.
Perlotte brings sideline-to-sideline speed and has flashed that athleticism late in the season. Expect Tennessee to lean into that tonight, especially when it comes to containing Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer. On third downs and scramble situations, Perlotte could be tasked with keeping Altmyer in check.
It’s a big ask for a freshman, but Perlotte has already shown he’s not afraid of the moment. Tonight is another step in his evolution as a potential defensive centerpiece for the Vols.
George MacIntyre: A Glimpse of the Future?
Joey Aguilar gets the start under center, but there’s been some quiet buzz around George MacIntyre potentially seeing the field. Head coach Josh Heupel didn’t confirm anything concrete during Monday’s press availability but left the door open.
“We’ll just kind of see how the game unfolds and what the identity of the game is,” Heupel said. “Nothing where we’re planning on putting him in second series or anything like that.”
Read between the lines, and it’s clear the staff is at least considering giving MacIntyre a drive or two. With Aguilar’s NCAA lawsuit casting uncertainty over his future with the program, Tennessee is expected to target a veteran quarterback in the portal. But MacIntyre has taken all the second-team reps during bowl prep, and this could be the perfect low-stakes environment to get his feet wet.
Whether or not he takes a snap, his presence on the sideline is a reminder that the next chapter of Tennessee football is already being written.
Bottom Line: The Music City Bowl may not carry the playoff implications of other postseason games, but for Tennessee, it’s a vital checkpoint. It’s a night to evaluate, to experiment, and most importantly, to get a look at the young core that could define the Vols’ future. The scoreboard matters, sure-but tonight, it’s the growth that counts.